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March 28, 2015
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Thunder (1-0) defeated the LA KISS (0-1), 42-37, in front of 7,194 fans at Moda Center Friday night.
"I'm just excited for this team," head coach Mike Hohensee said following the win. "I know we worked hard. I know we were in better shape than that football team, and it showed in the end. I believe our players saw that as well. Hopefully our guys see now why we work so hard, because it pays off."
The win marked not only the Thunder's first win in a home opener in franchise history, but also the first win for Hohensee as Portland's head coach.
Los Angeles opened up the scoring early in the first, as KISS quarterback Adrian McPherson found Donovan Morgan for his first of three touchdown receptions on the night. Following a pair of defensive stops, Portland was able to find the end zone, as quarterback Kyle Rowley snuck in for a one-yard score with three minutes to play in the first quarter. McPherson answered back with a 19-yard rushing score of his own in the final seconds of the period to put LA back on top, 13-7, heading into the second.
The two teams traded blows from that point forward. Portland opened up the second quarter with a seven-play, five minute drive that end with three-yard touchdown pass to V'Keon Lacey. The KISS responded with a five minute drive of their own; however, they could not reach pay dirt, instead settling for a 31-yard Kenny Spencer field goal. With less than a minute to play in the half, Rowley found receiver Duane Brooks for a six-yard score, but LA answered again, as McPherson connected with Morgan on a 19-yard scoring strike to take 23-21 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
The momentum shifted in favor of the Thunder with nine minutes to play in the third quarter, as wide receiver Jamar Howard flipped over the wall to complete a 28-yard touchdown that put the Thunder back in the driver's seat. The touchdown grab was Howard's first of three in the second half. LA responded again on the ensuing drive, punctuated by Morgan's third touchdown grab of the night; but back-to-back scores from Howard put Portland in full control, up 12 points with less than a minute to play in regulation.
The KISS needed a miracle and almost got it. Thyron Lewis hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass from McPherson to bring the KISS within five with 51 seconds left in the game and then recovered an onside kick. However, LA penalties and tough Portland defense proved to be too much and the Thunder were able to force a four-and-out to close out the game.
The Thunder defensive line kept McPherson uncomfortable all night, as Marquis Jackson tallied a pair of sacks, while Frank Trotter batted down a team-high four passes. On the offensive side of the ball, Kyle Rowley finished the game 19-of-28 for 209 yards and five scores, with his favored target of the evening, Jamar Howard, accounting for 114 of those yards and three scores.
McPherson passed for 241 yards and four scores through the air, plus another on the ground for LA. Donovan Morgan found the end zone on three of his six receptions, while Thyron Lewis led the team with nine receptions for 103 yards and touchdown on the night.
MEDIA AWARDS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Portland WR Jamar Howard
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: Portland DE Marquis Jackson
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: Portland JLB Bryce Peila
Cutters Catch of the Game: Portland WR Jamar Howard's 28-yard over-the-wall touchdown catch (3rd)
AFL Highlight of the Game: Portland WR Jamar Howard's 28-yard over-the-wall touchdown catch (3rd)
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Thunder (1-0) defeated the LA KISS (0-1), 42-37, in front of 7,194 fans at Moda Center Friday night.
"I'm just excited for this team," head coach Mike Hohensee said following the win. "I know we worked hard. I know we were in better shape than that football team, and it showed in the end. I believe our players saw that as well. Hopefully our guys see now why we work so hard, because it pays off."
The win marked not only the Thunder's first win in a home opener in franchise history, but also the first win for Hohensee as Portland's head coach.
Los Angeles opened up the scoring early in the first, as KISS quarterback Adrian McPherson found Donovan Morgan for his first of three touchdown receptions on the night. Following a pair of defensive stops, Portland was able to find the end zone, as quarterback Kyle Rowley snuck in for a one-yard score with three minutes to play in the first quarter. McPherson answered back with a 19-yard rushing score of his own in the final seconds of the period to put LA back on top, 13-7, heading into the second.
The two teams traded blows from that point forward. Portland opened up the second quarter with a seven-play, five minute drive that end with three-yard touchdown pass to V'Keon Lacey. The KISS responded with a five minute drive of their own; however, they could not reach pay dirt, instead settling for a 31-yard Kenny Spencer field goal. With less than a minute to play in the half, Rowley found receiver Duane Brooks for a six-yard score, but LA answered again, as McPherson connected with Morgan on a 19-yard scoring strike to take 23-21 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
The momentum shifted in favor of the Thunder with nine minutes to play in the third quarter, as wide receiver Jamar Howard flipped over the wall to complete a 28-yard touchdown that put the Thunder back in the driver's seat. The touchdown grab was Howard's first of three in the second half. LA responded again on the ensuing drive, punctuated by Morgan's third touchdown grab of the night; but back-to-back scores from Howard put Portland in full control, up 12 points with less than a minute to play in regulation.
The KISS needed a miracle and almost got it. Thyron Lewis hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass from McPherson to bring the KISS within five with 51 seconds left in the game and then recovered an onside kick. However, LA penalties and tough Portland defense proved to be too much and the Thunder were able to force a four-and-out to close out the game.
The Thunder defensive line kept McPherson uncomfortable all night, as Marquis Jackson tallied a pair of sacks, while Frank Trotter batted down a team-high four passes. On the offensive side of the ball, Kyle Rowley finished the game 19-of-28 for 209 yards and five scores, with his favored target of the evening, Jamar Howard, accounting for 114 of those yards and three scores.
McPherson passed for 241 yards and four scores through the air, plus another on the ground for LA. Donovan Morgan found the end zone on three of his six receptions, while Thyron Lewis led the team with nine receptions for 103 yards and touchdown on the night.
MEDIA AWARDS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Portland WR Jamar Howard
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: Portland DE Marquis Jackson
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: Portland JLB Bryce Peila
Cutters Catch of the Game: Portland WR Jamar Howard's 28-yard over-the-wall touchdown catch (3rd)
AFL Highlight of the Game: Portland WR Jamar Howard's 28-yard over-the-wall touchdown catch (3rd)
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